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Emancipation Park in Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica

By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on Jul 10, 2023

Summary: The approximate population of Kingston, Jamaica is 937,700. People describe Kingston as a vibrant, bustling city with a unique culture and a rich history. Expats love the friendly people, the beautiful beaches, the great food, and the vibrant nightlife. The weather in Kingston is typically warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. The average cost of living in Kingston for an expat is around $1,500 to $2,000 USD per month. The cost of a one bedroom apartment is around $500 to $800 USD per month, and a two bedroom apartment is around $800 to $1,200 USD per month.

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What do I need to know about living in Kingston?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Kingston, they said:

"Before retiring in Kingston, expats should research the cost of living and the availability of healthcare services. It is also important to familiarize oneself with the local culture and customs, as well as the climate and weather patterns. Additionally, expats should consider the safety and security of the area, as well as the availability of transportation and other amenities. Finally, expats should ensure that they have the necessary visas and permits to live and work in Jamaica," commented one expat who made the move to Kingston.

"Moving here will require you to make a lot of socio-psychological adjustments, for instance, if you are someone who values ordered processes and systems - and I can only assume that as an account, this might be important to you, then you will need to adjust very quickly to the less agreeable aspects of Jamaica..there is a lot of bureaucracy but it doesn't always work in quite the way that westerners expect or at the pace that westerners might be used to. I'm from the UK, of African-Caribbean heritage, though not Jamaican, and I have been here for 18 months now, I truly love living here, but it requires, as I say, some degree of mental adjustments. Please do as much research as you're able to, do come for extended periods of time, get to know people, the neighbourhood you want to live in, etc before you commit to such a huge life changing decision," remarked one expat living in Kingston, Jamaica.

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Interested in expat health insurance? Take a minute to get quotes from our partner, International Citizens Insurance, a trusted expat health insurance broker. They will provide you with comparison quotes from some of the biggest expat health insurers: Cigna, Allianz, IMG and GeoBlue.
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What do I need to know before moving to Kingston?

Answer Question & View More Answers

Interested in expat health insurance? Take a minute to get quotes from our partner, International Citizens Insurance, a trusted expat health insurance broker. They will provide you with comparison quotes from some of the biggest expat health insurers: Cigna, Allianz, IMG and GeoBlue.
International Citizens InsuranceInternational Citizens Insurance

Interested in expat health insurance? Take a minute to get quotes from our partner, International Citizens Insurance, a trusted expat health insurance broker. They will provide you with comparison quotes from some of the biggest expat health insurers: Cigna, Allianz, IMG and GeoBlue.
GET QUOTES

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International Citizens Insurance

Interested in expat health insurance? Take a minute to get quotes from our partner, International Citizens Insurance, a trusted expat health insurance broker. They will provide you with comparison quotes from some of the biggest expat health insurers: Cigna, Allianz, IMG and GeoBlue.

Learn MoreGET QUOTES

International Citizens Insurance

Interested in expat health insurance? Take a minute to get quotes from our partner, International Citizens Insurance, a trusted expat health insurance broker. They will provide you with comparison quotes from some of the biggest expat health insurers: Cigna, Allianz, IMG and GeoBlue.

Learn MoreGET QUOTES

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

Emancipation Park in Kingston, Jamaica

International Citizens Insurance
International Citizens Insurance

Get comparison quotes from Cigna, Allianz, IMG, GeoBlue and more.
GET QUOTES

International Citizens InsuranceInternational Citizens Insurance

Get comparison quotes from Cigna, Allianz, IMG, GeoBlue and more.
GET QUOTES

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Help others in Jamaica by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Jamaica.

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